The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-08-06
FROM PRESIDENT WOODRUFF
An Epistle to the Saints Through
out the World,


Beloved Brethren and Sisters - Once
more in the dispensation OF Providence
we are called to mourn the departure
from this life of friend and brother.
The Prophet Seer, Revelator and
President of the Church, Elder John
Taylor, was called to rest on the even
ing of July 25th, 1887. In sorrow for
our loss, we, your brethren, join with
you in mourning his departure. Hav
ing fought the good fight, he earned q
crown of endless glory, and now
mingIes with Joseph and Hyrum and
Brigham.
He has gone beyond the vail, but God
Is with US still to comfort, inspire and
direct as heretofore Peace be unto
you. AS upon two former occasions
in our history, the duty and response
bility of presiding over and directing
the affairs of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints in all tn 2
world devolves upon the Twelve
Apostles. With the blessing of the Lord
and the faith and prayers of His people,
We hope to do our duty until we, too,
shall be laid to rest.
AS Saints of the Most High, while
| living, let US give our hearts to God,
sanctify ourselves by keeping His COM
mandments, have oil in our lamps, our
houses In order, and hopefully and
prayerfully look forward to the day OF
deliverance, the set time for the &C
compllshment of which is fast ap.
preaching.
While mourning for the dead and
| holding his memory sacred. let US
trust in the God Of Heaven, remember
estly strive for the redemption Of
Zion.
Let US not seek occasion for offense
one against another, but forgive each
others trespasses, that the Holy
Ghost may be our constant companion
and the doctrines of the priesthood
distill on our minds like the dews oil
| heaven.
MANY are called, few are chosen. :
The Almighty has revealed in our day
the reasons, but what a mighty host
have wrecked their eternal hopes on
those fatal reefs-love of the riches oil
this world, the hono1s and praises oil
men. and the exercise of unrighteous
| dominion.
Let all Israel remember that the
eternal and everlasting priesthood is
bestowed upon US for the purpose alone
of administering in the ordinances Of
life and salvation, both for the living
and for the dead, and no man on earth
can use the priesthood for any other
purpose than the work of the ministry
the perfecting of the Saints, edifying he
BODY of Christ, establishing the king
dom of heaven, and redeemiDg Zion. If
we attempt to use it for unrighteous
purposes, like lightning from heaven our
power, sooner or later, falls, and we fail
to accomplish the design of God
Let US, therefore, sbeloVed brethren
and sisters, beware of the pride of the
world, and, casting vanity far from US,
be true to God, true to each other and
true to the covenants that we have
made. Iurging ourselves from iniqully
and the workers thereof, let US set our
faces like fliGt against sin and wicked
ness of every kind. So shall we, while
patiently following the Redeemer,
! eventually gain the victory over flesh,
hell and the grave. We will continue
in communication with you IS circum-
stances may require and opportunities
be afforded.
Praying the Lord God Of heaven ar
earth, who holds al men and things in
the grasp of His power, to comfort
| cheer and bless you, we remain
Your brethren in the Gospel covenant
WILFoRD WOODRUFF,
In behalf of the Twelve Apostles
| August 1887,